The 26-year-old, who moved to Spurs from Corinthians in his native Brazil in 2013, has made the switch to Guangzhou for a transfer fee of €14million (£9.9million).

A statement on Guangzhou's official website said: "Guangzhou Hengda Football Club officially announce from Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur that midfielder, Brazilian player Jose Paolo Bethesda La Maher Junior, ie Paulinho, was formally signed, for the transfer fee of 14 million euros, for four years."

Paulinho has 32 caps for Brazil and has scored five goals for the Selecao.

He will link up with former Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari at the Chinese club after the ex-Chelsea boss took over the reins earlier this month on a two-and-a-half year deal.

There is a distinct South American flavour at Evergrande, as Brazil international Ricardo Goulart and countrymen Elkeson and Alan also play for the Super League side.

Guangzhou are currently third in the league standings, two points behind leaders Beijing Guoan as they go in search of their fifth successive Super League title.